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She really does want to start--but won't!

I am 1000% on the plug firing order. I have a pic from before I touched anything on it (and it was running) and it matches the Haynes. And I've had it running since I upgraded the plug wires, plugs, etc (just not the dizzy).
 
Thanks Tarry--that's what I've done ~5x now! When I go to turn her over, it tries to catch, but just won't! A couple of weeks ago (from my OP) it ran for ~30secs but sounded horrible. I'm wondering if somehow something got messed up in the carb:confused:

:)

Did you verify the timing on the front cover?.................I think your still farther off timing wise than you think.............roll it back up to TDC as I mentioned and pull the valve cover..........both intake and exhaust valves should be closed...........and as far as the carb........I would just drop a tablespoon of gas in the top and see if it runs off the prime.......

:D:D:D:D
 
I'm looking at easy basic mistakes here. Are you sure of the direction your dist. is turning? Might you be putting the spark plug wires in perfectly, but backwards?

Are you getting any kind of popping or sputtering? ..... if it were me, and in my V8 it was, I'd drop in a GM style HEI. They are one 12v wire easy, the possible bad coil situation would be eliminated.

A weak open air spark might be no spark at all in a compression situation.
 
HedgeHog--I agree which is why I posted the video. Not real sure what weak or strong spark is when testing. I am sure the rotation is clockwise and I've watched the rotor turn. I want to trash the Prestolite and buy the HEI, but am afraid to spend another hundred bucks on something that isn't the issue. Maybe it'd be worthwhile regardless.
 
The HEI is definitely worth the time and effort. I like the simplicity of the GM style HEI, but there is a strong following for the "Team Rush" conversion as well. As always, did you keep your original Dist. gear? It might not be as important as it is for a V8, but keeping gears together that are used to each other is never a bad thing to do.
 
I didn't :( Didn't think about it at the time and turned it in to save a few bucks on a core $.
 
Was afraid of that. The bottom gear can be salvaged without compromising the value of the core. The I-6 is probably not going to be a problem. With a V8 not using the original gear is often a death sentence for the motor.
 
In your vid-IMO, that's a very weak spark.
I also think the ICM is bad.
FWIW: NEVER, EVER get rid of parts till everydangthing is run'n 'rite' again. ;)
HH is 110% correct about the old dizzy gear. :notworthy:
LG
 
HedgeHog--I agree which is why I posted the video. Not real sure what weak or strong spark is when testing. I am sure the rotation is clockwise and I've watched the rotor turn. I want to trash the Prestolite and buy the HEI, but am afraid to spend another hundred bucks on something that isn't the issue. Maybe it'd be worthwhile regardless.

I believe you said that you tried starter fluid and it still would not run so I would also lean towards an ignition problem. I put the HEI distributor on my V8 and am very happy with it. I really like that the entire ignition system is contained in the the distributor. Even if your problem is not in your ignition you are money ahead going with the Team Rush or HEI conversion. I just happen to prefer the HEI for its clean all in one unit, one wire hook up, hi powered coil, get it at any parts store parts :chug:
 
Twist my arm--I'll get the HEI:D. I've always preferred the thought of having less stuff to look at under the hood anyway. Pointers on what to purchase for it? I assume there's a slight amount of wiring since I'll have to get coil power and pickup power to it.
 
Twist my arm--I'll get the HEI:D. I've always preferred the thought of having less stuff to look at under the hood anyway. Pointers on what to purchase for it? I assume there's a slight amount of wiring since I'll have to get coil power and pickup power to it.



Just buy it with the spark plug wires, go to the parts store and buy the HEI repair plug and wire in a 12volt ignition hot wire from your old ignition and your done, if you have a factory tach wire it in the cap, only 2 wires on an HEI


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Have you tried getting someone to crank the engine over while you turn the distributor a few degrees clockwise or counter clockwise? When I first put my engine together, I had the same situation that you have described. I thought for sure I had that dizzy in the right spot. Finally, I loosened the hold down bolt and moved it just a little bit and tried it (I didn't have anyone available to crank the engine over). I kept playing with it until it started.
 
Thanks gert. Will report back.

@Fox--I've tinkered with it while someone cranks it and no luck. Makes me thankful for my assistant now though doing the troubleshooting with just 2 hands!
 
I'm sorry, but if you are at all close on timing the thing will start. That is if everything else is in order and working properly. If the ignition isn't 180* out, even then you'll get popping through the carb., your engine should start. It might not run well but it will start.
 
Get another dizzy to try.
Really think'n the ICM is toast........
LG
 
Update: HEI is in the mail. Will report back!
 
Fingers crossed for a good outcome. :chug:
LG
 
I know we are seeming to be very nit picky here, but it does matter. Who did you get your Dist. from? Some of the cheap versions on Ebay for instance are very cheap nock offs that don't work well. Sorry, but with that being said, some folks have had good luck with them. I'm a big DUI Dist. fan, problem is, they are relatively expensive. The good side is they say their gear won't tear up your existing cam gear.
 

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